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For mothers who are pregnant for the first time, it is usually difficult to percept the baby’s movements. For some even the first movement can go unnoticed as it is very slight. Whichever the case after the first 18 weeks of pregnancy you should be able to feel your baby move.

This was described as a slight fluttering feeling or the butterflies. But this was later termed as quickening baby movements. Some mothers have very active babies while others move minimally.

Baby Movements in Pregnancy
As mentioned previously, movement should be felt by the 18th week but with later pregnancies a mother will become more perceptive and will be able to tell if her baby has started kicking. The quickening baby movements can then be felt as early as the 15th week. With time these movements change from slight fluttering to strong kicks. This signifies the baby’s growth within the mother. The following are guidelines as to what to expect during the different weeks of your pregnancy.

21 to 24 weeks

During this time you’ll be feeling baby movements that are similar to kicks and jerks. This is because from now henceforth your baby will be very active as it would have just discovered the use of its limbs.

24 to 28 weeks

It is during this time that your baby will start hiccupping and you will soon get used to the sudden movements within your baby. The amniotic fluid is enough to shield your baby but the movements will still be felt. It is also at this time that the baby will react to sudden sounds around you. You might actually feel the baby jump within you.

During the 29th week

Because of its growth, the baby’s movements are slowed down due to the limited room in the uterus. However the movements it makes are still strong enough.

During the 32nd week

At this time the baby’s movement will become more defined as it grows bigger and bigger. The number of times the kicks occur increase too.

The 36th week

If it is your first pregnancy then your muscles are strong and at this time the baby will change its position and have its head facing your cervix. The walls of your abdomen will serve as its pillow. At this time mainly expect sharp jerks from its arms and legs because it would have almost been full grown by now.

36 to 40 weeks

At this time pregnancy baby movements will be reduced because of the growth of the baby. During the last few weeks it is perfectly normal for your baby to slow down in activity and therefore there should be nothing worrying about that.

Last weeks of pregnancy

It is at this time that the baby prepares for birth. Its position is stable with its head resting on your pelvic floor. Mothers during this stage of pregnancy are cautioned to sit carefully as the baby’s head might be endangered with any rough treatment in that area. Because the baby has moved downwards towards you cervix you will feel less pressure on your ribcage and a little extra weight on you lower abdomen.